On June 12 , 2021 , the Allison and Roberto MignoneHalls of Gems and Mineralswill reopen at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City following afour - yr overhaul . In gain to showcasing many of the geological specimens museum guests commend , the halls will feature exciting unexampled display . That includesBeautiful Creatures , an expo of jewelry enliven by animals .
Jewelry historiographer and museum conservator Marion Fasel take objects that pay court to the natural reality in luxurious style . Each animal depicted in theBeautiful Creaturesexhibit in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery is highlighted elsewhere in the museum . All the jewelry was made within the last 150 years — the same amount of clock time the museum has been open . Dazzling snakes , louse , and crocodiles are a few of the items in the collection .
Beautiful Creatureswill be on view through September 19 . Here are some far-famed piece of creature jewellery guests can expect to see when the Halls of Gems and Minerals reopen this month .
1. Crocodile Necklace
Thiscrocodilenecklace is made from 60.02 carats of yellow diamonds and 66.86 carats of emeralds . It comes from the collection of Mexican actress María Félix . According to legend , she commissioned it in1975after strolling into Cartier jewelers carry live baby crocodiles to act as the model .
2. Étoile de Mer Brooch
This brooch was made by artistSalvador Dalí , and his surrealist style is plain in the design . Random branchlet can be seen sprouting between the starfish ’s legs . The butterfly pins were intend to be worn with the starfish broach . This item was primitively owned by philanthropist Rebekah Harkness , who Taylor Swift fans may know as the issue of the birdcall “ The Last Great American Dynasty . ”
3. Tarantula Brooch
Between 1979 and 1996 , the German firm Hemmerle produced a line of creature - inpsired jewelry ; this tarantula brooch comes from that series . The 111.76 - karat browned cavalry conch ivory making up the prat of the object is mayhap the largest one on Earth .
4. Lion’s Paw Shell Brooch
This lion ’s paw shell brooch is made from real lion ’s paw scallops Duke Fulco di Verdura purchased from the American Museum of Natural History ’s gift shop in 1940 . A 2nd shell brooch made by the Italian house decorator is also feature in theBeautiful Creaturesexhibit .
5. Stag Beetle Brooch
Made in 1895 by the Boucheron jewelry ship’s company , this mallet brooch contains baseball field , rubies , gold , and white-hot gold .
6. Serpent Choker
After it was plan by American jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal in 1990 , thissnakechoker was win by French actress Jacqueline Delubac . It have sapphires , diamonds , and amethysts set in ash gray and gold .
7. Lion Brooch
This lion brooch once belonged to philanthropist Brooke Astor . Astor was a helper of theNew York Public Library , which has lead some to trust that the piece was inspired by thelion statuesoutside the entrance of the main branch .
